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Who's the Better Band? Rush, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree or Opeth

«13

Comments

  • #2
    GLaDOS
    Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 23,257 Mod ✭✭✭✭GLaDOS


    It's like you deliberately took 3 of my absolute favourite bands and asked this question to piss me off....

    I couldn't possibly choose to be honest, while they have similarities, they are very different bands and each offer a different angle.

    Musical geniuses each is all I'll say.

    Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at the conclusion of the test



  • #3
    RayCon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,035 ✭✭✭RayCon


    Rush ... no contest.


  • #4
    Karl Hungus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,130 ✭✭✭✭Karl Hungus


    This is a horrible thread! How can we make such choices? You fiend! :(

    I picked Dream Theater, I probably do prefer them, but I don't really think they're better... Just, I dunno. Nasty question. :(


  • #5
    waltersobchak
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,083 ✭✭✭waltersobchak


    Sorry lads.. :( :pac:

    Its tough question alright as all 3 bands have some similarities but are yet so so different..


  • #6
    Kess73
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,560 ✭✭✭✭Kess73


    From the early 90's to about ten years ago the answer from me would have been Dream Theater with no hesitation. I was hooked on Images And Words when it came out, and the cassette was on heavy rotation in my walkman for months.


    Today in 2010 it is Porcupine Tree that gets the nod from me.

    Mainly because I find their music more engaging nowadays, but in terms of technical ability etc then I would find it very hard to split them.


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  • #7
    Mushy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,787 ✭✭✭✭Mushy


    I'm slightly biased so had to say Porcupine Tree. I find their music a lot more interesting, especially with my point of view on the world (namely FoaBP). I find the atmosphere in their songs plays a huge part, all down to Barbieri. Gavin is, well, Gavin.

    Don't want to take it away from them in any way though. Rush were the catalyst for both bands, so that cannot undermine them. Dream Theater are masters in the heavy sections (although I still think that when PT do metal, they do it better than anyone else). I can't comment on Rush now, but live, PT are monsters, saw them and DT in successive days, so could compare well:D So in the pressure cooker atmosphere of having to vote, it had to be Porcupine Tree for me.


  • #8
    Mushy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,787 ✭✭✭✭Mushy




    Another chance to plug this dvd:D



  • #9
    GLaDOS
    Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 23,257 Mod ✭✭✭✭GLaDOS


    A slightly more sane hour, so a better reply from me is warranted I think.

    Here's my take on them:

    Rush have a more upbeat sound to them, closer to classic rock (which isn't particularly surprising). Based around cracking guitar riffs, tricky drums and catchy bass lines, not to mention great solos from all three and superb vocals from Geddy, they're a very easy band to get into. The role they played in the development in progressive metal can't be understated, and it's possible our other two bands wouldn't have the same sound if it weren't for these guys.

    Dream Theater would be the heaviest and most technically proficient of the three in my opinion. In Petrucci, Rudess, Portnoy and Myung we've 4 of the best in metal for their respective instruments (though I do like Kevin Moore's stuff aswell :)) and some of the solos are ridiculous (instrumental wankery is a term I'v heard :D). Lyrics tend to vary between Philosophical and more personal, which I like.

    Porcupine Tree in contrast I feel sacrifice technicality, which they're well capable of and do show when appropriate, for a more atmospheric effect. They don't pick a style and stick with it, instead show a huge range of different sounds. Lyrical themes tend to be a lot more personal, which results in them being a lot more lyrical based than the other 2. Another huge plus for me is that they do concept albums brilliantly.

    I voted for Porcupine Tree in the end, as I've been listening to them loads the last few months. But if this poll came up last year or comes up next year my answer could easily be different. The winner of the poll is irrelevant to me anyway, they're all worthy victors and the real winners are us for getting to listen to them :).

    Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at the conclusion of the test



  • #10
    Jako8
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,445 ✭✭✭Jako8


    Tough choice but it's Rush for me.

    If it wasn't for them DT and PT probably wouldn't exist. :p


  • #11
    Zombienosh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,911 ✭✭✭Zombienosh


    not enough choices tbh,

    theres a new band of up and coming youngsters called "metallica"... hope i got the name right. you guys who like rock and or roll should check them out sometime. maybe pick up a tape or two.


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  • #12
    Mushy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,787 ✭✭✭✭Mushy


    AlcoholicA wrote: »
    not enough choices tbh,

    theres a new band of up and coming youngsters called "metallica"... hope i got the name right. you guys who like rock and or roll should check them out sometime. maybe pick up a tape or two.

    This is just purposefully limited to these 3 cos of some off-topic stuff in the Iron Maiden gig thread.

    Besides, who wants Metallica coming ruining the good names of these bands?:pac:


  • #13
    --LOS--
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,028 ✭✭✭✭--LOS--


    AlcoholicA wrote: »
    not enough choices tbh,

    theres a new band of up and coming youngsters called "metallica"... hope i got the name right. you guys who like rock and or roll should check them out sometime. maybe pick up a tape or two.

    Relating threads back to your fave band at every given opportunity.........GUILTY!

    Oh I heard those guys got a new bassist, could just be a rumour.

    PS I picked Dream Theatre but I like em all.


  • #14
    waltersobchak
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,083 ✭✭✭waltersobchak


    AlcoholicA wrote: »
    not enough choices tbh,

    theres a new band of up and coming youngsters called "metallica"... hope i got the name right. you guys who like rock and or roll should check them out sometime. maybe pick up a tape or two.

    Who??`
    Come back to me when Metallica become relevant to music again


  • #15
    Zombienosh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,911 ✭✭✭Zombienosh


    well its apparent rush/dream theater/porcupine tree fans have no humour?

    edit: the post was sarcasm, how every topic relates back to metallica on this forum...


  • #16
    Patricide
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,658 ✭✭✭Patricide


    This was like choosing between 3 children... I just ended up clicking an option at random. There all gods in my eyes.


  • #17
    GLaDOS
    Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 23,257 Mod ✭✭✭✭GLaDOS


    Just looking at wiki now, Alex Lifeson was a guest guitarist on FoaBP :)

    Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at the conclusion of the test



  • #18
    waltersobchak
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,083 ✭✭✭waltersobchak


    ScienceNerd wrote: »
    Just looking at wiki now, Alex Lifeson was a guest guitarist on FoaBP :)

    More importantly Alex Lifeson was in Trailer Park Boys:cool::pac:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFLKUlNfNuk

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn36jQm3oYE

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_AsnTHJ52s


  • #19
    Malice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,079 ✭✭✭✭Malice


    AlcoholicA wrote: »
    well its apparent rush/dream theater/porcupine tree fans have no humour?

    edit: the post was sarcasm, how every topic relates back to metallica on this forum...
    I was thinking "Don't make me have to shove a bunch of posts into the Metallica thread again" :).

    On topic, the only one of the three I've listened to much is Dream Theater so I'd have to go with them out of familiarity, not necessarily that they are better.


  • #20
    stroopy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11 ✭stroopy


    Such a hard decision! I think i'll have to go with DT though, but i really adore all 3


  • #21
    PeterIanStaker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭PeterIanStaker


    DT went down (a tiny, tiny, infiniteismally small bit) in my book when Portnoy drummed on Avenged Sevenfold's new album. Clicked Rush because I'm listening to nothing but lately. Dont know enough Porcupine Tree to justify it, but I'll look them up.


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  • #22
    PattheMetaller
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 459 ✭✭PattheMetaller


    Tough question. I personaly love them all, but Dream Theater are my absolute favourites, so I voted for them.

    The OP has a wicked streak ;)


  • #23
    Baggio1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 360 ✭✭Baggio1


    Rush!!!..no contest :)


  • #24
    Mushy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,787 ✭✭✭✭Mushy


    Hmmm...Porcupine Tree are laying some countries they haven't played in quite a long time now. These include Greece, Czech Republic, Israel. Dear God please say Ireland gets added on to the list.


  • #25
    waltersobchak
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,083 ✭✭✭waltersobchak


    Mushy wrote: »
    Hmmm...Porcupine Tree are laying some countries they haven't played in quite a long time now. These include Greece, Czech Republic, Israel. Dear God please say Ireland gets added on to the list.

    Have they ever played here Mushy?


  • #26
    RayCon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,035 ✭✭✭RayCon


    ScienceNerd wrote: »
    Just looking at wiki now, Alex Lifeson was a guest guitarist on FoaBP :)

    I can't believe you needed to look a wiki to know that ... have you not listened to the solo in Anesthetize !!!! ... awesomeness.


  • #27
    Mushy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,787 ✭✭✭✭Mushy


    waltersobchak wrote: »
    Have they ever played here Mushy?

    Around 2001/2002 in TBMC. Apparently only half full, so has erred them away from playing here again. Ask Karl about it, he was at it.


  • #28
    rgt320q
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 573 ✭✭✭rgt320q


    "In my van, it's Rush. All Rush, all the time."


  • #29
    PeterIanStaker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭PeterIanStaker


    Have Rush ever played in Ireland?


  • #30
    Nephilim Wolf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 769 ✭✭✭Nephilim Wolf


    RayCon wrote: »
    Rush ... no contest.

    I agree. For me I never had much interest in Dream Theater, and I find their music very self indulgent and forgettable, (apart from some of Images And Words) but each to his/her own. Rush on the other hand are fantastic and none of their songs feel self indulgent or boring to me. I also think that albums like '2112, Farewell to Kings, Hemispheres, Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures' are some of the very best prog rock albums ever made.


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  • #31
    waltersobchak
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,083 ✭✭✭waltersobchak


    PeterIanStaker wrote: »
    Have Rush ever played in Ireland?

    Nope never, not even in the Seventies when they recorded some of their albums in Wales.. I remember reading something once( might have been total BS ) That said they wouldnt play here because of the IRA..


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